Rafa Benitez was a man in demand during a visit to Sports Direct’s new flagship Irish store at North Earl Street in central Dublin.

Just 100 lucky fans bagged wristbands to gain access to the store and earn themselves some time with the former Real Madrid and Liverpool boss - along with first team stars Dwight Gayle, Jonjo Shelvey, Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark and Isaac Hayden.

Benitez posed for pictures and signed balls for fans from Ireland before the Toon boss conducted media duties with both the English and Irish media.

Here’s a look at the questions Benitez was asked.

Benitez on transfers

Rafa Benitez and Isaac Hayden (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

‘It’s important to have more additions.

“We need to improve the squad.

“We are not signing top-class players in the Premier League, we are signing the players we can and the players who can do a job for us.”

Benitez on the goalkeeping situation

Rob Elliot (Image: The Chronicle)

“The main thing for Rob Elliot is to be fit and he’s training hard after playing the final three games of last season.

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“I was really pleased with his contribution last season, not just because he played games and scored goals but he led by example, both in the dressing room and training. He was a positive influence on the team.”

Benitez on Ireland defender Ciaran Clark

Ciaran Clark (Image: The Chronicle)

“We were following Clark for years before we signed him because he’s an experienced Premier League centre-back.

“There are not many centre-backs, who are left-footed, can pass the ball well, compete in the air and are tactically good.”

Benitez on new boy Florian Lejeune

Florian Lejeune holds up a Newcastle United 2017/18 home shirt (Image: Newcastle United)

Rafa Benitez meets Irish fans (Image: The Chronicle)

“Lejeune will have to understand what the tempo and intensity of Premier League means but he can compete with Jamaal Lascelles and with Clark.”

Benitez on staying at Newcastle after relegation: “Staying at Newcastle after relegation was a risky decision at the beginning but I was really pleased it turned out the right decision.

“It was also my idea to stay close to my family in England because I had been travelling everywhere for the previous two or three years.